The COVID-19 event leaves room for guilt.
As we are asked to do what is uncommon and unnatural for us, guilt can set in.
For example, I got a call from an individual suggesting that I do something that I feel could put myself in jeopardy with regard to catching or spreading the virus. I don't know if I am one of those asymptomatic patients, but I do know that a lot of people in the community have tested positive for this virus. I also know that the experts are telling us to stay put with the exception of doing essential tasks and accessing essential items, so my inclination is to not follow this individuals inferred directives.
Further, the individual's assessment of a situation does not match my assessment of the same situation. While yes, the situation is not desirable, it is also not deadly--it's simply the way things are for many, many Americans right now--it's not anyone's first choice to stay socially sequestered from society, but that's what the doctor has ordered.
I'm not the only one who is experiencing COVID-19 guilt as almost everyone in the know has some of this guilt. We know what the experts are saying and we know that we want to protect our own lives and the lives of others. We know that the only way to survive this is to make the best of it and not to pressure people to do what is unsafe for themselves and others. Yet, since this is so unnatural for us, many pressure us to do the wrong thing which can result in guilt when we don't follow through with their directives.
This is when I have to go to the best case and worst case scenarios. The worst case scenario in this case if I don't follow through is the same as the worst case scenario if I do follow through--there's a chance that someone I love and care about will die from this virus, and there's a greater chance of this for those who don't take the advice from medical professionals seriously. I could follow through on the directives, and make someone's day a bit more pleasant for a few minutes only to spread or get the virus myself. Is a few minutes worth the risk? I don't think so. But what about those who take the risk to help others out, to provide a few minutes of reprieve without thinking much about the potential repercussions of that act. I can't really comment on this as with all things related to life and death, these choices are very personal, and people have to do what they ultimately want to live with down the road.
When pushed to risk in situations like COVID-19, we have to consult our souls and do what we feel is the right thing to do for ourselves and others. Onward.
As we are asked to do what is uncommon and unnatural for us, guilt can set in.
For example, I got a call from an individual suggesting that I do something that I feel could put myself in jeopardy with regard to catching or spreading the virus. I don't know if I am one of those asymptomatic patients, but I do know that a lot of people in the community have tested positive for this virus. I also know that the experts are telling us to stay put with the exception of doing essential tasks and accessing essential items, so my inclination is to not follow this individuals inferred directives.
Further, the individual's assessment of a situation does not match my assessment of the same situation. While yes, the situation is not desirable, it is also not deadly--it's simply the way things are for many, many Americans right now--it's not anyone's first choice to stay socially sequestered from society, but that's what the doctor has ordered.
I'm not the only one who is experiencing COVID-19 guilt as almost everyone in the know has some of this guilt. We know what the experts are saying and we know that we want to protect our own lives and the lives of others. We know that the only way to survive this is to make the best of it and not to pressure people to do what is unsafe for themselves and others. Yet, since this is so unnatural for us, many pressure us to do the wrong thing which can result in guilt when we don't follow through with their directives.
This is when I have to go to the best case and worst case scenarios. The worst case scenario in this case if I don't follow through is the same as the worst case scenario if I do follow through--there's a chance that someone I love and care about will die from this virus, and there's a greater chance of this for those who don't take the advice from medical professionals seriously. I could follow through on the directives, and make someone's day a bit more pleasant for a few minutes only to spread or get the virus myself. Is a few minutes worth the risk? I don't think so. But what about those who take the risk to help others out, to provide a few minutes of reprieve without thinking much about the potential repercussions of that act. I can't really comment on this as with all things related to life and death, these choices are very personal, and people have to do what they ultimately want to live with down the road.
When pushed to risk in situations like COVID-19, we have to consult our souls and do what we feel is the right thing to do for ourselves and others. Onward.